Salmone is a cold-water fish, not naturally found in our country’s waters and thus imported from Norway. Due to its cold-water nature, it’s an oily fish, rich in Omega-3 fatty acids vital for our health, and its delicious, bone-free qualities make it stand out.
In truth, there are few fish as versatile as salmon in terms of cooking methods. Despite being oily, you can pan-fry it properly, grill it, barbecue it; cook it in a pouch, on oiled paper, or in foil. You can even steam it in a pressure cooker.
Of course, like with red and white meats, you can enhance the flavor by marinating salmon before cooking. I strongly recommend marinating with suitable spices before some cooking methods. Let’s delve into the sauce and marination process.
Firstly, decide the desired taste and prepare a matching sauce for marination. As salmon is a bit oily, the most common marination method involves lemon. Mix a bit of salt, olive oil, and lemon juice in a bowl, let it rest in the fridge for half an hour. Avoid marinating in lemon juice for too long, as its acidity can start to cook the fish after a while.
If you prefer marinating with spices, a mix of olive oil, salt, black pepper, oregano, and garlic, left for 30-60 minutes, is sufficient.
If you plan to pan-fry, I recommend using a non-stick or ceramic pan. The key is to fry in very little or no oil. Optionally, marinate briefly with olive oil, lemon, salt, and spices, then cook each side for 3-4 minutes in an oil-free non-stick pan. It’ll start releasing its own oil as it cooks, and when it takes on a beige color, it’s done. Be cautious not to overcook and dry out the fish.
When baking, you can wrap it in paper, use foil, or cook directly in a baking sheet or casserole dish. In a regular oven, it cooks at 200 degrees Celsius in 12-13 minutes. The time varies based on the thickness; if you’re cooking the tail side, it’ll be done in a shorter time, around 8 minutes. To ensure it’s fully cooked, you can extend the time by 2-3 minutes, but be careful not to overcook, as it will dry out.
No need to use oil when baking; you can use very little olive oil if desired. Decorating with lemon slices enhances both the appearance and flavor. Bay leaves also add a delightful aroma. You can try the Baked Salmon in Paper recipe here.
Before grilling, marinate briefly with olive oil, lemon, garlic, and salt, then grill each side for 4-6 minutes. If using a barbecue, ensure the coals are well-ashened to avoid flare-ups. You can marinate with different spices or keep it simple with a bit of salt; after massaging it in, grill each side for 4-7 minutes based on the grill’s heat and the thickness of the fillet or slice. You can tell it’s done by its color or check with a fork. As always, avoid overcooking to keep it moist. Check out the Salmon Skewer Kebab recipe for a delicious homemade option.
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